A Beginner’s Guide to (Cyber) Online Teaching: Pleasures and Pitfalls American Psychological Association Annual Meeting Toronto Canada August 6-10, 2003

Dr. Diane Finley Prince George’s Community College Dr. Diane Finley Prince George’s Community College Dr. Ken Weaver Emporia State University Dr. Ken Weaver Emporia State University

Distance Education First appeared in 1892 catalogue of U.Wisconsin First appeared in 1892 catalogue of U.Wisconsin First used by ERIC as a descriptor in 1983 First used by ERIC as a descriptor in 1983 Any formal (or informal) delivery of learning in which the majority of the instruction takes place at a physical (and temporal) distance Any formal (or informal) delivery of learning in which the majority of the instruction takes place at a physical (and temporal) distance

Types of D.E. Mail correspondence Mail correspondence Print Materials Print Materials Telephone Telephone Radio broadcasting Radio broadcasting Television broadcasting videotapes; ITV Television broadcasting videotapes; ITV CD/Videotape/audiotape CD/Videotape/audiotape Online Online

Philosophical Issues Learner centered Learner centered “Guide on the side” “Guide on the side” Learner autonomy Learner autonomy Collaborative nature Collaborative nature Facilitator v. instructor Facilitator v. instructor

Jargon Cyberteaching Cyberteaching ISP – internet service provider ISP – internet service provider Asynchronous Asynchronous Virtual classroom/ chat room Virtual classroom/ chat room Face to face (f2f) Face to face (f2f) CMS – Course management system (discussion board, bulletin board, forum) CMS – Course management system (discussion board, bulletin board, forum)

Faculty Training Issues New paradigm for teaching New paradigm for teaching Technological competencies Technological competencies Course design issues Course design issues Teaching as a skill Teaching as a skill Time management issues Time management issues Support service issues Support service issues

Misconceptions and Myths About Online Learning Web classes are easy. Web classes are easy. Work for web classes can be done at my own pace – they are self-paced. Work for web classes can be done at my own pace – they are self-paced. Web classes don’t take much time. Web classes don’t take much time. This is basically an independent study, I don’t have to interact with other students. This is basically an independent study, I don’t have to interact with other students.

Learning Myths, cont. The instructor will “teach” me everything I need, including all technology related issues The instructor will “teach” me everything I need, including all technology related issues The teacher will be available 24/7. The teacher will be available 24/7. I don’t have to have a computer or internet connection at home. I don’t have to have a computer or internet connection at home. All materials I need will be online (i.e. no more books). All materials I need will be online (i.e. no more books).

Misconceptions and Myths About Online Teaching I don’t need to know anything about technology. I don’t need to know anything about technology. I have to know everything about technology. I have to know everything about technology. Technology makes things easy – it won’t be a problem. Technology makes things easy – it won’t be a problem. Teaching online is just like teaching face-to-face. Teaching online is just like teaching face-to-face. Teaching online will take less time. Teaching online will take less time.

Teaching Myths, cont. Teaching online will be easy – I can just post my lecture notes. Teaching online will be easy – I can just post my lecture notes. I can just post all required information and instructions and the students will read it all, no more answering questions about something already stated. I can just post all required information and instructions and the students will read it all, no more answering questions about something already stated. I’m good in the classroom, I’ll be good online. I’m good in the classroom, I’ll be good online. Online courses are teacher centered. Online courses are teacher centered.

Teaching Myths, cont. The class dynamics will be different online; there won’t be any interaction. The class dynamics will be different online; there won’t be any interaction. I’ll never get to know my students. I’ll never get to know my students. I can’t do active learning online. I can’t do active learning online. I didn’t have any special training to teach in the college classroom. I don’t need any to teach online. I didn’t have any special training to teach in the college classroom. I don’t need any to teach online.

To Begin: Know your own learning style Know your own learning style Know your own teaching and learning philosophy Know your own teaching and learning philosophy Recognize your tolerance for the unexpected Recognize your tolerance for the unexpected Acknowledge your own technology literacy levels Acknowledge your own technology literacy levels Assess honestly your motives and beliefs about online learning Assess honestly your motives and beliefs about online learning

Issues To Consider Faculty selection Faculty selection Time demands Time demands Equipment needs – both faculty and student Equipment needs – both faculty and student Technology literacy requirements Technology literacy requirements Student expectations Student expectations Enrollment limits Enrollment limits Intellectual property rights Intellectual property rights

Contact Information Dr. Diane Finley Department of Psychology Prince George’s Community College 301 Largo Road Largo MD Largo MD